Council OKs $1.3M facade and amenity upgrades for Peoria Sports Complex; naming-rights pursuit planned

Peoria City Council unanimously approved agenda item 28R on Feb. 10, authorizing a $1.3 million budget amendment to fund facade improvements and facility upgrades at the Peoria Sports Complex.

Deputy City Manager Kevin Burke and Parks & Recreation Director Chris Calcaterra presented the project. "This amendment will leverage a portion of both those funds along with the sales tax fund and the current project cost is $1,300,000," Calcaterra said. He described a 59-foot facade renovation, an extended ticket canopy to improve shade for patrons, and new premium seating and lounge areas (the "Cactus and Coast" club seating) with in-seat food service and pre/postgame lounge space.

Calcaterra said the project would create opportunities for stadium branding and a future naming-rights procurement process. He also described operational benefits for spring training: the complex hosts 32 games in 32 days and serves two Major League teams, so incremental facility improvements affect daily operations and fan experience.

Funding breakdown presented on the record: $500,000 from Proposition 302 (rental/room and hotel tax fund approved by voters in 1999) and $800,000 from the city's sales tax fund. The council moved, seconded and approved the budget amendment by voice vote (seven-zero).

Staff said the stadium improvements are timed ahead of spring training and include additional reserved premium seating (205 seats noted in the presentation, with a sell-through rate reported at roughly 61%). The presentation also described broader marketing partnerships and community engagement programs tied to the games.